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US Carl Levin: Obama has 'number of justifications' for air strikes in Iraq

Barack Obama

President Barack Obama approaches the podium to speak about the situation in Iraq in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014. Obama says he has authorized the U.S. military to launch targeted airstrikes if Islamic militants advance toward American personnel in northern Iraq. He also has announced that the military carried out airdrops of humanitarian aid Thursday to Iraqi religious minorities threatened by the extremists. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
(AP Photo / Charles Dharapak)

LANSING, MI — U.S. Sen Carl Levin supports President Barack Obama’s authorization of airstrikes in Iraq, following months of an insurgency from an radical Islamic group.

“There are a number of justifications for these actions, but the reasons he cited are surely sufficient,” Levin said in a statement after Obama spoke. “It is helpful that the government of Iraq has requested our assistance, and it would also be helpful under the circumstances, though not necessary, for a number of neighboring countries to publicly support our actions.”

Thursday night, Obama announced he authorized U.S. airstrikes if necessary and airdrops of humanitarian aid in northern Iraq to counter advancing Islamic militants and the threat they pose to Americans as well as Iraqi civilians.

“Earlier this week, one Iraqi in the area cried to the world, ‘There is no one coming to help.’ Well today, America is coming to help,” Obama said.

The country has been under attack by a Sunni insurgent group called ISIS. The group moved west into the country and is getting closer to Baghdad. Thousands of religious and other minorities have fled to the northwest of the country.

Levin also said there should be more assistance to groups helping those who've fled.

“I have urged the administration to provide greater assistance to the Kurds, to assist their defense and to help them resume their protection of Christian villages in their area,” Levin said.

Levin, who is serving his last year in the Senate, is the chair of the Armed Services Committee and one of the leading voices on foreign policy.

The announcements reflected the deepest American engagement in Iraq since U.S. troops withdrew in late 2011 after nearly a decade of war. Obama, who made his remarks in a steady and somber tone, has staked much of his legacy as president on ending what he once called the "dumb war" in Iraq.

Mindful of the public's aversion to another lengthy war, Obama acknowledged that the prospect of a new round of U.S. military action would be a cause for concern among many Americans. He vowed anew not to put American combat troops back on the ground in Iraq and said there was no U.S. military solution to the crisis.

"As commander in chief, I will not allow the United States to be dragged into fighting another war in Iraq," Obama said.

Critics, including some Republicans in Congress, have argued that Obama's cautious approach to Syria has allowed the Islamic State group to flourish there, growing strong enough to move across the border with Iraq and make swift gains.

Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina praised Obama's proposed actions Thursday night but said much more will be necessary.